hip of his
inconstant heart. Elizabeth's eyes shot an angry gleam as she beheld her
faithless lord thus engaged; but so accustomed to conceal and control
the natural jealousy that it never betrayed itself to the court or to
her husband, she soon composed her countenance to its ordinary smooth
and artificial smile, and rejoining her mother she revealed what had
passed. The proud and masculine spirit of the duchess felt only joy at
the intelligence. In the anticipated humiliation of Warwick, she forgot
all cause for fear. Not so her husband and son, the Lords Rivers and
Scales, to whom the news soon travelled.

"Anthony," whispered the father, "in this game we have staked our
heads."

"But our right hands can guard them well, sir," answered Anthony; "and
so God and the ladies for our rights!"

Yet this bold reply did not satisfy the more thoughtful judgment of the
lord treasurer, and even the brave Anthony's arrows that day wandered
wide of their quarry.

Amidst this gay scene, then, there were anxious and thoughtful bosoms.
Lord Rivers was silent and abstracted; his son's laugh was hollow and
constrained; the queen, from her pavilion, cast, ever and anon, down the
green alleys more restless and prying looks than the hare or the deer
could call forth; her mother's brow was knit and flushed. And keenly
were those illustrious persons watched by one deeply interested in the
coming events. Affecting to discharge the pleasant duty assigned him
by the king, the Lord Montagu glided from tent to tent, inquiring
courteously into the accommodation of each group, lingering, smiling,
complimenting, watching, heeding, studying, those whom he addressed. For
the first time since the Bastard's visit he had joined in the diversions
in its honour; and yet so well had Montagu played his part at the court
that he did not excite amongst the queen's relatives any of the hostile
feelings entertained towards his brother. No man, except Hastings,
was so "entirely loved" by Edward; and Montagu, worldly as he was, and
indignant against the king as he could not fail to be, so far repaid
the affection, that his chief fear at that moment sincerely was not for
Warwick but Edward. He alone of those present was aware of the cause of
Warwick's hasty return, for he had privately despatched to him the news
of the Bastard's visit, its real object, and the inevitable success of
the intrigues afloat, unless the earl could return at once, his mission
accom